CM Himanta orders probe into recruitment of 2,274 contractual staff in ASTC

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Illegally-appointed employees in the ASTC (Assam State Transport Corporation), if any, are in for a troubled time as Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has directed the Transport Department to probe into any illegality in appointment into the corporation.

The last bout of troubles started in the ASTC with the appointment of around 2,274 employees on a contractual basis when the then Managing Director AP Tiwari was at the helm of affairs. Circles concerned did raise questions over the legality of the appointments, leading Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to review affairs of the Transport Department, including appointment in the ASTC, on June 27, 2022.

After threadbare discussions, the Chief Minister said allegations had been that ASTC engaged 2,274 staff without following the reservation system and without holding any interviews. He said that the government would inquire into the recruitment into the ASTC. "If the inquiry committee finds the allegations true, the government will serve show-cause notice to the then ASTC MD for flouting government norms and initiate DPs (departmental proceedings) against the officers involved," the Chief Minister said at the review meeting. He further said that after the inquiry the ASTC would go through the contractual staff of the ASTC and keep only the essential and legally appointed staff, and relieve the rest. The Chief Minister instructed the department to complete the exercise within 60 days.

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